Astapada Pal v. Lego Gram Panchayat and Ors.
Delay/laches – challenge to unauthorized construction
Case brief
What is this about?
Calcutta High Court, F.M.A. 139 of 2026 (CAN 1 of 2026), Astapada Pal v. Lego Gram Panchayat & Ors., decision dated 11.03.2026 (Shampa Sarkar, J. and Ajay Kumar Gupta, J.). Writ petition alleging unauthorized construction by respondent no. 10 was refused by the learned Single Judge on 22.12.2025 solely for belated approach. Division Bench held delay not fatal to complaints of illegal/unauthorized construction, set aside the impugned order, permitted a comprehensive application to the Gram Panchayat with service on respondent no. 10, and directed action under Section 23, West Bengal Gram Panchayat Act, 1973, after complying with natural justice, within eight weeks. No findings on merits; appeal and connected application disposed of. Keywords: laches/delay, unauthorized construction, sanctioned plan, building rules, Gram Panchayat, natural justice, eight-week compliance timeline.